Methods and systems for communicating information by a communication device are disclosed and may include detecting a second handheld communication device that is within range of a first handheld communication device. It may be determined whether the second handheld communication device is authorized to communicate with the first handheld communication device, based on a list of authorized devices. The list of devices may be maintained at the first handheld communication device and may be created prior to the detecting and any prior communication between the first handheld communication device and the second handheld communication device. If the second handheld communication device is authorized, a direct communication link may be established between the first handheld communication device and the second handheld communication device. The link may be established without using an intermediate communication device that includes a bridging function, a routing function, and/or a switching function.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A method of communicating information by a communication device, the method comprising: detecting, by a first handheld communication device, that a second handheld communication device is within range; determining, by said first handheld communication device, whether said second handheld communication device is authorized to communicate with said first handheld communication device, based on a list of authorized devices, which is maintained at said first handheld communication device and created prior to said detecting and any prior communication between said first handheld communication device and said second handheld communication device; establishing a direct communication link between said first handheld communication device and said second handheld communication device in response to determining that said second handheld communication device is authorized to communicate with said first handheld communication device, wherein the direct communication link is established without use of an intermediate communication device that facilitates communication between said first handheld communication device and said second handheld communication device; and utilizing the direct communication link to exchange preference information for use in establishing or maintaining subsequent communications between said first handheld communication device and said second handheld communication device.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said intermediate communication device comprises a network server.
3. The method according to claim 1 , comprising determining whether said list of authorized devices comprises said second handheld communication device.
4. The method according to claim 1 , comprising, if said second handheld communication device is not authorized, acquiring profile information for said second handheld communication device.
5. The method according to claim 4 , comprising displaying said acquired profile information at said first handheld communication device.
6. The method according to claim 4 , comprising determining whether to add said non-authorized second handheld communication device to said list of authorized devices, based on said acquired profile information.
7. The method according to claim 4 , wherein said acquired profile information comprises at least one of: device identification information or user identification information.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said established direct communication link comprises a wireless communication link for communicating at least one of: voice signals, video signals, or data signals.
9. A machine readable storage having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section for communicating information by a communication device, the at least one code section being executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform steps comprising: detecting, by a first handheld communication device, that a second handheld communication device is within range; determining, by said first handheld communication device, whether said second handheld communication device is authorized to communicate with said first handheld communication device, based on a list of authorized devices, which is maintained at said first handheld communication device and created prior to said detecting and any prior communication between said first handheld communication device and said second handheld communication device; establishing a direct communication link between said first handheld communication device and said second handheld communication device in response to determining that said second handheld communication device is authorized to communicate with said first handheld communication device, wherein the direct communication link is established without use of an intermediate communication device that facilitates communication between said first handheld communication device and said second handheld communication device; and utilizing the direct communication link to exchange preference information for use in establishing or maintaining subsequent communications between said first handheld communication device and said second handheld communication device.
10. The machine-readable storage according to claim 9 , wherein said intermediate communication device comprises a network server.
11. The machine-readable storage according to claim 9 , comprising code for determining whether said list of authorized devices comprises said second handheld communication device.
12. The machine-readable storage according to claim 9 , comprising code for acquiring profile information for said second handheld communication device, if said second handheld communication device is not authorized.
13. The machine-readable storage according to claim 12 , comprising code for displaying said acquired profile information at said first handheld communication device.
14. The machine-readable storage according to claim 12 , comprising code for determining whether to add said non-authorized second handheld communication device to said list of authorized devices, based on said acquired profile information.
15. The machine-readable storage according to claim 12 , wherein said acquired profile information comprises at least one of: device identification information or user identification information.
16. The machine-readable storage according to claim 9 , wherein said established direct communication link comprises a wireless communication link for communicating at least one of: voice signals, video signals, or data signals.
17. A system of communicating information by a communication device, the system comprising: at least one processor within a first handheld communication device, that enables detection of a second handheld communication device that is within range of said first handheld communication device; said at least one processor within said first handheld communication device enables determination of whether said second handheld communication device is authorized to communicate with said first handheld communication device, based on a list of authorized devices, which is maintained at said first handheld communication device and created prior to said detecting and any prior to communication between said first handheld communication device and said second handheld communication device; said at least one processor configured to establish a direct communication link between said first handheld communication device and said second handheld communication device in response to a determination that said second handheld communication device is authorized to communicate with said first handheld communication device, wherein the direct communication link is established without use of an intermediate communication device that facilitates communication between said first handheld communication device and said second handheld communication device; and said at least one processor configured to utilize the direct communication link to exchange preference information for use in establishing or maintaining subsequent communications between said first handheld communication device and said second handheld communication device.
18. The system according to claim 17 , wherein said intermediate communication device comprises a network server.
19. The system according to claim 17 , wherein said at least one processor enables determination of whether said list of authorized devices comprises said second handheld communication device.
20. The system according to claim 17 , wherein said at least one processor enables acquiring of profile information for said second handheld communication device, if said second handheld communication device is not authorized.
21. The system according to claim 20 , wherein said at least one processor enables displaying of said acquired profile information at said first handheld communication device.
22. The system according to claim 20 , wherein said at least one processor enables determination of whether to add said non-authorized second handheld communication device to said list of authorized devices, based on said acquired profile information.
23. The system according to claim 20 , wherein said acquired profile information comprises at least one of: device identification information or user identification information.
24. The system according to claim 17 , wherein said established direct communication link comprises a wireless communication link for communicating at least one of: voice signals, video signals, or data signals.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
June 7, 2006
August 18, 2015
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